A Milford man handed a fine this week after being caught in possession of MDMA has been told that he will reach retirement before he pays off his costs to the court.

Thirty-six-year-old Steven Barham, of Bunkers Hill, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing 6.02 grams of the controlled drug, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that police stopped the defendant on his pushbike on September 27, of last year, at around 3 pm, in Milford, after he was acting a bit ‘suspiciously’.

“He moved his hand onto his left pocket when he spotted police officers. When they searched him, officers found a green tin containing the white powder which was MDMA.

“Mr. Barham only has one previous conviction for drugs possession in 2017, but numerous other previous convictions,” he added.

Defence solicitor Stuart John told the court that the defendant has issues leaving the house, and that sadly, he found that taking amphetamines gave him the confidence to do so.

“He needs to get help and tells me that he has made an appointment with DDAS (Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service). He is also getting back as a labourer, which will provide him with a daily motivation to leave the house,” said Mr. John.

Magistrates handed Mr. Barham a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.

On being told that Mr. Barham had over £5,000 owed to the court in outstanding fines, chief magistrate David Simpson said: “You’ll be retired before you pay that off!”